Report: Damsels & Dragons at Rimbun Dahan (WW05)
Members' Report by: HY Leong, Li Hsian Choo, Surina, Ai Jiunn, Nazlan, Shaun Ho, Pamela Ong, and SK Leong.
Photos by: Shaun Ho, Li Hsian Choo, Surina, Annica, HY Leong, Nazlan, Eve, and Yao Tze Leong
On 24 May 2026, the fifth Wild Wonders programme, Damsels & Dragons, was successfully held at Rimbun Dahan, Kuang. Although open to the public, all places were taken up by MNS Selangor Branch members, and the programme was fully booked well before the event date.
Wild Wonders is a family-friendly nature education series initiated by member Leong Hon Yuen, that offers hands-on experiences in collaboration with experts, introducing participants to a wider range of experiences beyond what the MNS Selangor Branch Special Interest Groups can offer.
Organised in collaboration with Rimbun Dahan and entomologist Dr Choong Chee Yen, and assisted by the MNS Selangor Branch Flora Special Interest Group (Flora SIG), the programme attracted 25 registrants, with 24 attending. Participants included seven children and teenagers aged 8 to 17.
The day began with a guided walk through the arboretum, which is accredited as a Level 1 Arboretum under ArbNet, a global network of arboreta. Adults joined the “Tree Group” led by Angela Hijjas and Flora SIG Past Coordinator Lim Koon Hup, while children and accompanying parents formed the “Dragonfly Group” led by Bilqis Hijjas, Flora SIG Lead Coordinator Yao Tze Leong, with HY Leong serving as sweeper.
Li Hsian Choo, who was sweeping the Tree Group, shared:
"I enjoyed Angela’s explanations and stories as well as the anecdotal evidence she shared about the significance of the various trees in her estate. It made me reflect on biodiversity in a different way. I learned many new things on the local trees, how they grow and how they are being preserved."
"I enjoyed walking through the garden, with Angela showing us the variety of native and non-native trees in Rimbun Dahan," said Surina. "I also learned a lot from the experts who came along that day: Dr Choong, Koon Hup and Yao."
"The overall content and duration is great!" said Ai Jiunn. "I enjoyed the guided walk in the garden where Ms Angela and Mr Koon Hup shared us knowledge on trees and their experiences."
"I’ve seen Rimbun Dahan in pictures, but it exceeded my expectations in reality," said Nazlan. "Angela Hijjas has outdone herself in keeping her 14-acre ‘garden’ [positive skepticism meant well here] in naturally pristine condition for some 35 years…!
"I took away, for an experience, the colours of what I saw. The rich greenery comprising countless shades of greens was just mind-blowing for me. I was, yet again, just in awe of The Creator’s Great capacity to create colours in nature that can subtly change with a slight shift of shadow cast by an angular ray of sunlight."
During the walk, participants learned about rainforest tree diversity and the habitats that support dragonflies and damselflies. Angela explained how the former fruit orchard was transformed into a living collection of Southeast Asian rainforest plants, including an impressive diversity of dipterocarps and other native species. Bilqis, who manages the arts programme at Rimbun Dahan, also introduced her young participants to the site's role as an arts residency and cultural space.
The Flying Beauties Talk & Guided Pond Walk
The group then gathered in the underground art gallery for a talk on the “The Flying Beauties – Dragonflies and Damselflies" by Dr Choong Chee Yen, one of Malaysia’s leading dragonfly and damselfly specialists.
"After the tour of the premises, there was a presentation about damselflies and dragonflies where Dr Choong shared the various aspects of this group of insects," recalled Shaun Ho.
Drawing on more than 20 years of research, Dr Choong introduced participants to the world of Odonata, covering identification, life cycles, and their role as indicators of healthy freshwater ecosystems. A lively Q&A session and quiz followed, with satsuma tangerines awarded as prizes.
"Dr Choong’s talk and guided walk on Dragonflies and Damselflies was also very informative, insightful and entertaining," said Choo. "I learned many new things about these insects."
"Then he brought us to the pond to spot the various species living there and caught some for closer examination" said Ho. "Dr Choong shared his enthusiasm for his chosen subjects very visibly and answered questions generously."
"I really enjoy learning the lifecycle of dragonfly it’s really worth coming," said Pamela Ong. "Appreciate Dr Choong for educating us as well as Angela for her generous sharing!"
Arts & Crafts, and Lunch
The morning also included a creative art activity facilitated by Choo and Leong, where participants created nature-inspired artwork as a memento of the day.
"Getting to know damsels and dragons in theory and in action plus the very creative artwork," said Ai Jiunn. "Very refreshing."
The programme concluded with a three-course halal Western lunch of delicious macaroni carbonara with chicken slices, coleslaw, and carrot cake, providing an opportunity for participants and facilitators to exchange observations and reflect on the morning’s experiences.
For SK Leong, it was "learning about dipterocarp seeds, (and) presentation on dragons and damsels by Dr Choong ;)"
"Rimbun Dahan is a setting fit for calm contemplation - not for just the colours of nature nor for studies of beautiful dragonflies and damselflies [ably and warmly presented by Doc Choong]," recalled Nazlan. "It has potential for reflecting oneself into seeking a meaning for the direction of one to adopt, and hope the direction taken will have left someone else experience a better world to look forward to. In shaa Allah [May Allah wills it]."
"Very good programme conjured up by MNS Selangor. Well done, and look forward to many more..! 👏 P/S. My ‘shout-out’ to the carrot cake… yummy!!"
On the morning of the event, before participants arrived, Leong presented tokens of appreciation on behalf of the MNS Selangor Branch to Angela and Bilqis. The gifts, sourced from social enterprises, were presented early to prevent them from melting in the heat. Dr Choong was also presented with an honorarium in appreciation of his time, effort, and expertise.
The MNS Selangor Branch wishes to thank Flora SIG for their assistance, and look forward to welcoming members and the public to future Wild Wonders events as it continues to foster appreciation and stewardship of Malaysia’s natural heritage.
Note: Our sincere thanks to Yao Tze Leong, Dr Choong Chee Yen, Bilqis Hijjas, and Marcus Lim for generously sharing their expertise in helping to identify the species photographed by the participants.